So do only the rich pay taxes? Of course, the question is a bit misstated as the IRS data looks at taxpayers according to their income, not their wealth, and looks only at income taxes, not all taxes. Still, the data does show that those whose incomes are in the top 5 percent (and likely about half of those in the 90 to 95 percent category) pay more than the average tax rate. This is hardly surprising, however, since we have a progressive income tax with a top marginal rate of 35 percent. Even the top one percent (who make over $364 thousand per year) pay an average tax rate of just 23.13 percent. Hence, the statement that "only the rich pay taxes" is obvious hyperbole.

It seems like a lot of folks around here think that only the rich pay taxes and that is just false. Am I the only one around here that knows there are other taxes than Federal Income Tax? First off everyone in America who receives a paycheck pays 12.4% in social security (6.2% employee, 6.2% employer) and 2.9% Medicare. That means every working stiff out there pays 15.4% of their GROSS income in federal taxes. In addition the tax only impacts the middle class as it is capped at $102,000.

In other words, whether you make $102,000 or $204,000 per year, the amount of SSI paid is the same.

In addition there federal fuel taxes that are paid by everyone that needs to fill their tank and these tend to have a greater impact on the middle classes than the wealthy.

It seems like a lot of folks around here think that only the rich pay taxes and that is just false. Am I the only one around here that knows there are other taxes than Federal Income Tax? First off everyone in America who receives a paycheck pays 12.4% in social security (6.2% employee, 6.2% employer) and 2.9% Medicare. That means every working stiff out there pays 15.4% of their GROSS income in federal taxes. In addition the tax only impacts the middle class as it is capped at $102,000.

In other words, whether you make $102,000 or $204,000 per year, the amount of SSI paid is the same.

In addition there federal fuel taxes that are paid by everyone that needs to fill their tank and these tend to have a greater impact on the middle classes than the wealthy.

There are other examples out there as well.

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and from which tax pool does the tax exempt status come from doyathink? When "rebates" are given from which pool does this money come from doyathink?

and from which tax pool does the tax exempt status come from doyathink? When "rebates" are given from which pool does this money come from doyathink?

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?

I don't get your point. Tax exempt status is provided to organizations that are not run for a profit (Section 501(c) of the code); I don&#8217;t think I mentioned those. Are you saying that Churches and Charities need to be taxed?

The pool of money is the same ever since the social security trust fund was tapped for federal spending.

I am looking for a good article that actually looks at what the rich "actually' pay in taxes. When you have a good lawyer, I don't, you can find ways to decrease your heavy load for the richies.

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The highest earners, top 1% have a tax burden of about 20%...Buffet, richest man in America i believe, paid 19% in taxes he said, when he said that his secretary paid much more of her salary in taxes than he did...

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